Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Memphis, TN
It is 1082 mi between Colorado Springs and Memphis — roughly 18h 56m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1082 mi · 18h 56m by car · TN → AR → OK → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 40, I 70, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.5% moving from Colorado Springs to Memphis — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $449,452 in Colorado Springs to $144,710 in Memphis, a 8.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 54.9" |
Annual temperature rises 12.9°F moving to Memphis per NOAA normals.
Expect 2.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 8.5% less than Colorado Springs at the median — $83,198 → $51,211 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 67.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Memphis more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 8.5% lower than Colorado Springs (92.179 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (12.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 15.9 in.
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 38.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1082 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Memphis, TN from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 1082 mi and the route typically takes 18h 56m via US 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Memphis, TN.